Mary - Part Two

After Mary had been visited by Gabriel and told of her pregnancy as well as Elizabeth's, she went and stayed with Elizabeth for quite some time. In every way it was a visit that had a joyous and earthly meaning, with a heavenly stamp of protection, nurturing, and care on its form. The reunion of these two women was one full of joy and silent understanding. But also one of rejoicing. Mary was not a mangled mess of emotions, but instead, she was praising God and magnifying His name and wondrous works. Mary was carrying the Savior of the World in her womb and Elizabeth was carrying John the Baptist, His forerunner, in her womb. Both a miracle performed by Jehovah Himself.

The visit to Elizabeth was one that was used twofold in the life of Mary. Elizabeth's understanding, comfort, friendship, and rejoicing were much needed for Mary who had been shunned and ousted due to dishonor and ridicule that surrounded her. Scripture doesn't say, but Mary could very well have been rejected and abandoned by her family – the ones who should have loved, protected, and supported her. This could have been a very alone time and discouraging time for her, but God never leaves us alone. He is always with us and He was with Mary. Elizabeth was one who understood what was taking place and was a true source of comfort and nourishment for Mary during this time.

Elizabeth's home also served as a safe haven for Mary. In that day and time, the dishonor of one's actions or sins was not just on an individual basis, but affected the entire group - the family. It was cataclysmic and had a ripple affect. Because of this dishonor, especially having a child out of wedlock, it was not uncommon for one to be stoned or harm brought upon them for the act. But, God had each turn and fold in the fabric of Mary’s life worked out, thus He had her nestled safely under His wing of protection for three months in the house of Elizabeth. 

Even under that protection and the covering of His wing and the comfort and companionship of Elizabeth, I'm sure Mary was aware of what was out there - the rejection, the possibly hatred towards her, the harm and danger, and the dishonor falling on her name. I’m sure her days with Elizabeth were filled with joy, but in the quietness and aloneness of the night, I’m sure that unwanted tears escaped down her cheeks as tried to assure herself that God was in control and that the He would work it all out in the end. That her silent and alone battle was one that would bring glory to His name, and would not fall flat.

Mary could have questioned God as to why He was doing this, why she was being dishonored. Why bad things were coming of His will for her life. But, from what we see, she didn’t. She served God, she was faithful … she trusted in Him and His plan. She kept her gaze upward and had faith that God would show His glory through it all.

May we be like Mary in that when the times get hard we don’t walk away, instead we look to God and keep pressing forward. Knowing that He never leaves us alone and He is ever watching over us and nurturing us. He has a plan and purpose for each and everything in our life. Through Mary’s abandonment she was given the opportunity to lean solely on God. He was her main man through it all. Even when she had Elizabeth and later Joseph, she still had to keep her focus on God. May we remember that our gaze is to remain upward – through good and bad – trusting only Him to get us through while we rest safely under the cover and protection of His wings. He holds it all in our hands…including our hand. We are never alone. Trust Him. Have faith. The good, bad, and ugly are all primary colors on the color wheel called “All Things”. Through the use of that color wheel we find a beautiful picture that came to be because “…all things work together for good to them that love God…”

To have the faith and trust of Mary – that each thing was part of God’s plan. Strive for that kind of faith and trust…strive to be a Mary.

Mary - Part One

So often I forget that she was real. She was human. She had emotions. She had feelings. She was a living being that walked this earth just like you and me. She had a mom and dad. She was once a little girl, and probably was still quite young when her life was changed forever. She grew weary, she got tired, she would get sick, and she would feel fear, pain, hurt, heartache, and joy. She wept. She carried the burdens of life. She knelt on her knees and prayed to God, having faith in Him that His promise would come to pass. She hid His word in her heart. She battled sin; she battled life. Yet, the character that is depicted within the pages of the New Testament shines light on a woman who, despite being every bit human, facing all the temptations and struggles that you and I face, she was one full of faith, obedience, love, joy, assertiveness, humbleness, and was devoted. She was noted as the one who "...found favour with God." (Luke 1:30) and was given the amazing responsibility and blessing from God - to birth Jesus Christ. This could be written without ever mentioning her name because of the legacy and the story that she is cast a key role in. Her mother wrapped her in a blanket and her father named her Mary all those years ago, not knowing that their little girl would grow up to be the one God chose to bring His promise to pass.

I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to be visited by an angel, but that was exactly what happened to Mary. And in that moment’s happenings, her life was changed forever. Was Gabriel’s presence enough to catch her attention? Did he gently nudge her? Did he call her name?  However he may have captured her attention, she was not afraid of him, but more so amused by his presence. I wonder if in the midst of their conversing if she realized that it was the beginning of the fulfilling of the promise that the world had been waiting for - the promise that she had clung to since she understood its capacity and meaning? There must have been a silence that swept over heaven and earth as the glory realm held their breath in that life-changing moment as Gabriel finally began to unfold the task God had appointed to her. The task that He knew she would accept. She was faithful. He chose her for that reason. She had found favor in His sight.

The world must have screeched to a dead halt for Mary. She probably fought to stabilize herself as he told her that she had been chosen by God to carry His Son - the Chosen One, the Redeemer, the Salvation of the World - in HER WOMB. She had found favor in God's eyes, the Lord was with her, and she was blessed among women. With trembling hands and confusion building its stronghold in her airway, I’m sure she tried to steady her breathing as she listened to the details the Gabriel relayed to her - the name of the child, the Father of the child, the purpose of the child. I’m sure it took all the strength in her to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground. Maybe Gabriel held her in place. I can’t imagine how I would have accepted such an assignment. It was impossible. There was no way it could happen. How could it be so? I’m sure Mary’s confusion and lack of understanding was not contained to her heart, but showed on her expression as Gabriel continued with his message that had been ordained from above. Mary being human, being a sinner in need of a savior, being every bit vulnerable to temptation and failure, could have refused and said there was no way she was going to do this. She knew the dishonor that would befall not just her, but her entire family. She would be rejected, despised, and ousted. She was espoused to Joseph - she could very well lose him because of this. But she was faithful, she was obedient, and she wanted to serve God and follow Him. As Gabriel was finishing his message he slipped in a piece of information - Elizabeth’s God ordained pregnancy. One might find that insignificant and unneeded, but God used that piece in a vital way later on.

I wonder if Mary and Gabriel walked along as they were talking, or if all took place in the quietness of a room, or maybe it was in the shadow and covering of the night? It doesn’t say, but as their conversation came to a close, Gabriel must’ve seen the confusion, the fear, the grasping for understanding that was pulsing through Mary, because he offers these parting words of comfort before leaving her, “With God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) It brought no understanding, but pointed her faith and trust to God. I am sure with a voice trembling due to lack of understanding, but a voice made audible and possible because of faith and trust in her God, she was able to murmur her words of obedience and acceptance of the task appointed to her, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38).

Oh to be like Mary! To be one that God has watched so tenderly and sees the character, the devotion, the faithfulness, the trust, and the willingness that no matter what He asks of us, we simply say “…be it unto me according to thy word.” One that God knows He can assign a task to and it will be accepted and done for His glory and our good.